What are your thoughts on switching from an A4 to an S4? I have recently come up with the idea and am investigating it a bit more, to see if I can make the switch from my 2004 A4 Quattro to a probably 2004 -2006 S4. Originally I was going to wait 3 more years and get the RS4 but it is seeming that the time is draging along. So as far as reliability goes for the S4 vs the A4, Service charges on averages, how much more does that 4.2L engine take in gas. What are some common issues etc.

 

Well if your gonna get the 4.2L S4 definately make sure you have enough dough just to cover the payments/insurance, and repair bills.

The 4.2L S4 (chain drive) motor doesn't really have that many problems actually. It leaks a lot less oil than the 2.7T engine is notorious for. The timing chain never has to be replaced, and it holds 9 quarts of oil so you can drag on an oil change easilly to 10k using synthetic oil.
The only problems i have encountered was a squeaky idler pulley (sounds like a train whistle) and some bad alternators. Beware though, it take major time to pull the alternator on a 4.2L S4, like 10 hours long. Anything that might go wrong with the engine typically is gonna have a major repair sticker taged to it because that engine is shoe horned in there.

 

Holy s***, 10 hours to pull the alternator?!?! Rugged.

 

you see any room to work in there?

 

Nope. looks like you gotta pull the bumper to do anything...

 

LOL.... looks like a bucket of fun to work on.

 

quite a bit more than just the bumper

 

moving up to an S4 is always a good thing

plus if you get a warranty, your good!

 

Damn. is the 2.7 that bad?

 

The 2.7T is harder to work on than most audi engines, but it doesn't hold a candle to any V8 in the A4 chassis.